Feeling depressed during pregnancy? Here’s what to do now
Pregnancy is a rollercoaster! It is that period in your life when mood swings bounce around from elation to depression (also known as antenatal depression) and you have absolutely no control of the scale. The impact of depression on your pregnancy can sometimes mean crippling loneliness and feeling like the world is crashing down on you. Are you feeling depressed during pregnancy? And, if so, do you know how to seek help?
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Mood swings or depression during pregnancy? How to tell the difference between mood swings and depression
Irritation, gloominess and low self-esteem are other small side-effects of pregnancy and they suck, but it is important to remember that these emotions are the product of the many new hormones shooting through your body to make that beautiful special miracle called your baby. Bad days are bound to happen. I’ve had my fair share of them during all four pregnancies, but they are not permanent.
There are some factors that contribute to depression in pregnancy, so before you book a trip to the doctor, try out the following activities for treating depression symptoms to keep depression away during pregnancy.
Depression during pregnancy – You’re not alone. Let it all out
The best way to deal with problems is to face them head on. The same goes for depression during pregnancy. If you’re going through any mental issues, the best thing to do is talk it out with someone that you trust, like your partner, a family member, a loved one, or a good friend. It helps to speak to someone who is or has been pregnant because they will better understand the feelings you are experiencing and they can offer their tried and tested techniques on how to get through the bad days.
It’s important to note that depression doesn’t feel the same for everyone. I had high anxiety during my first pregnancy but I wanted my child and felt so grateful. Some people feel like the pregnancy is unwanted and some are scared to leave the house for fear of damaging their baby. It’s important to talk about your problems, but know that sometimes your issues may be unique but equally important to you.
Feeling depressed during pregnancy? Take a walk
Sometimes, all you need is some fresh air when you’re caught up at home or at work and cabin fever is taking its toll. Taking a walk can help you relax your mind, body and soul, as well as get the blood pumping in the brain to release those feel-good hormones. This rejuvenation process will help calm your body and release the stress, which will also calm your baby too.
Feeling depressed during pregnancy? Take your mind off the daily troubles and go online
The beauty of the Internet is that you can forget your real life for a few minutes and follow someone else’s online. If you are not much of a surfer (or stalker) then there are other ways to spend your time.
Believe it or not, playing games has various health benefits, including energising oneself and calming the mind. It can boost memory power too, which will benefit the baby. There are various sites that have chat systems in place, so you can chat online. Whether you are playing Solitaire, following a blog, or trying your hand at poker via bitcasino, or even training your brain via an app, choose something that boosts your mood and leaves you feeling like you had a real break from the pregnancy drama.
Feeling depressed during pregnancy? Take care of your diet
Irritation during pregnancy can be down to an improper diet. For example, if you are eating food high in sugar, you may experience energy highs and crashes, hence why you may feel energetic and happy at the beginning and low and tired afterwards. It is important to make sure you’re eating from all the food groups in moderation, too.
Prenatal care is important so ensure you are ingesting nutritious foods, especially fruits and vegetables, which release positive endorphins and drive away depression. Studies show that curcumin has an antidepressant-like effect and can improve mental health. If you are nursing, your baby will benefit from this diet too.
Feeling depressed during pregnancy? Yoga relaxes the soul
Yoga is the master of calm and relaxation. You can Google ‘pregnancy yoga’ and there will be tonnes of YouTube videos and exercises that are easy to follow, so you can practice yoga in the privacy of your own home. Yoga makes you concentrate on your breathing, which relaxes your mind and body. You also get a good stretching workout at the same time too. Ask your GP first before starting any new exercise during pregnancy.
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Still feeling depressed during pregnancy?
If all else fails and you’re still feeling low, make an appointment with your GP and explain your symptoms. Chronic depression causes severe symptoms that affect daily life, so maybe it’s worth checking whether your depression is down to several other contributing factors, like previous mental health issues or a chemical imbalance in the brain.
Your health care provider can treat these symptoms with either psychological treatments (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) or pregnancy-safe medication for treating depression (antidepressants). Look for a behavioural therapist in your area too to help get to the source of the depression. Depression during and after pregnancy can affect your whole experience, so treating depression during pregnancy is vital for the health of you and your baby.
It’s also important to research available support in your area to find a clinic which can offer information or even grant funding for support if you don’t have the resources to pay for treatment.
Don’t suffer alone and in silence. Depression during and after pregnancy is common and treatable, so act fast if you think you’re depressed.
Frequently asked questions
What is depression?
Other questions asked were:
- What is depression while pregnant?
- What is pregnancy depression?
Depression is when you’re feeling low but it lasts for weeks or months and it affects your daily life. You can feel unhappy, have low self-esteem and have little pleasure in doing things you normally enjoy.
I’ve had my baby, but I’m still feeling depressed. What can I do?
Other questions asked were:
- What is post-pregnancy depression?
- What causes post-pregnancy depression?
It’s quite normal to feel the ‘baby blues’ after giving birth. You’re thrown into a whirlwind of parenthood with a baby who dotes on you to survive. You’re sleep deprived, recovering from birth and you have no idea what you’re doing.
Eventually you will get over the initial drop in mood but it’s important to check whether the depressive symptoms are not ongoing and effecting your daily life. Postpartum depression is different from the baby blues where symptoms of postpartum depression can include
Postpartum support international is dedicated to helping families from postpartum depression, anxiety, and distress.
What is perinatal depression?
Other questions asked were:
- What causes perinatal depression?
- What causes pregnancy depression?
Perinatal depression is when you experience depression while you’re pregnant (antenatal depression) or up to one year after giving birth (postnatal depression (PND).
Why does depression during pregnancy often go unrecognised?
Depression can often go unsuspected because a lot of the pregnancy symptoms involve lack of sleep, hormonal changes and chronic stress. It’s hard to distinguish what is a pregnancy symptom and what is depression.
What are the risk factors for depression during pregnancy?
Other questions asked were:
- What factors increase my risk of being depressed during pregnancy?
The following risk factors may suggest an increased risk of depression, especially during pregnancy:
- Family history and genetics (can include birth defects, bipolar disorder and mental illness)
- Chronic stress.
- History of trauma, i.e. intimate partner violence or abuse/neglect of family members
- Gender.
- Poor nutrition.
- Unresolved grief or loss or unresolved depression
- Personality traits.
- Medication, substance use and addiction (i.e. crystal methadone / crystalline meth / meth crystals
If you are clinically depressed, there is support out there, for example, narcotics anonymous or alcoholics anonymous and mental health services to help treat signs for depression. Head to your GP who can complete a test for depression and take down your health information, so they can refer you to the health care providers who can treat depression.
What are the signs and symptoms of depression during pregnancy?
Other questions asked were:
- What are some of the signs of depression during pregnancy?
- What does pregnancy depression look like?
- What are signs of depression?
The signs of symptoms of pregnancy depression can include:
- Feeling sad, low or tearful a lot of the time
- Losing interest in things you normally find pleasurable
- Feeling irritable and angry
- Loss of appetite or eating more than usual
- Having negative thoughts, such as worrying you can’t look after the baby
- Feeling guilty, hopeless or blaming yourself for the problems you’re experiencing
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Why is treatment for depression during pregnancy important?
Not treating depression can lead to dire consequences, like ruined relationships, problems at work, and making it difficult to overcome serious illnesses. Depression can also lead to more fatal situations, like increased risk of suicidal tendencies.
Can depression affect early pregnancy?
Other questions asked were:
- Can depression affect pregnancy?
- What happens if you get depressed while pregnant?
- Does being depressed affect your unborn baby?
- Does stress and depression affect pregnancy?
- Does pregnancy cause depression?
- How does depression affect pregnancy?
- Will my sadness affect my baby?
- Can crying and stress affect unborn baby?
- Why is depression bad during pregnancy?
- Does depression pregnancy affect baby?
- Does depression during pregnancy harm the baby?
- Is depression during pregnancy bad for the baby?
- What can happen to the baby if the mother is depressed?
High levels of stress for long periods can cause health problems, like high blood pressure and heart disease. Stress can also increase the chances of having a premature birth or a low-birth weight baby (weighing less than five pounds eight ounces).
How common is depression during pregnancy?
Other questions asked were:
- Is it common to get depressed during pregnancy?
- Why depression occurs in pregnancy?
- Is it normal to get depressed while pregnant?
- Is it normal to be depressed in pregnancy?
- Does pregnancy depression exist?
- Is depression a side effect of pregnancy?
- Does depression prevent pregnancy?
More women experience depression during pregnancy than you think because of the hormone changes which affect the brain chemicals, causing depression and anxiety. Sometimes, pregnant women don’t realise they are depressed, but untreated depression can often lead to more chronic symptoms which may require suicide prevention down the line.
What are my options if I’m depressed during pregnancy?
Other questions asked were:
- What helps with pregnancy depression?
Look above for tips on how to treat depression during pregnancy.
Does pregnancy depression go away?
Other questions asked were:
- Does depression during pregnancy go away?
- Does prenatal depression go away?
Sometimes depression can go away on its own, depending on the severity, but most of the time it requires treatment. So, if you’re suffering, don’t delay and contact our GP now.
Does depression in pregnancy cause autism?
Other questions asked were:
- Does depression during pregnancy cause autism?
- Does prenatal depression cause autism?
This study concluded that women with depression during pregnancy have an increased risk of having a child with ASD, regardless of antidepressant use.
Are antidepressant medications safe during pregnancy?
Other questions asked were:
- Do depression pills affect pregnancy?
There is some evidence that shows taking antidepressants during pregnancy or while breastfeeding can lead to birth defects or your baby developing heart defects, spina bifida or cleft lip.
*Written by Samantha Waites*
